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Regular session could take on several big ticket items

The regular session begins Monday less than a week after the special session crashed and burned. Fiscal cliff negotiations will be put on hold while a slew of other issues take center stage. There are several gun control bills filed, but Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn't see any of the measures to restrict who can purchase an assault rifle passing.

“Despite the school shooting in Florida it’s really hard to see any legislation to limit gun ownership in any way. This is a huge 2nd amendment state.”

18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and a few major companies have done the same. Erwin says while the national landscape is tilting in favor of higher wages, he doesn’t see it happening in Louisiana.

“I think there is a strong argument to be made that our wages are somewhat lower in Louisiana than they are in other states, but I just don’t think you’re going to see any legislation passed to force businesses to raise the minimum wage.”

Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past sessions, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.

“This might be a sleeper issue in some ways where the retirement bills that have been filed might see the light of day and might make it over the finish line.”

Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past session, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.